“The Bronko Tape 2” Continues to Explore the Similarities Between Valid & Bronko Lubich (Mixtape Review)
Detroit, Michigan emcee Valid surprise-dropping his 2nd mixtape. Introducing himself properly over a decade ago with Reach High, he would follow it up in 2019 getting more personal on the sophomore effort Mihajlo which I personally would recommend to anyone as the best place to start for anyone who wants to get up on Valid’s music & eventually the Plum Brandy EP only 9 months later. Coming off The Bronko Tape & Peach Brandy, he’s preluding this next chapter of his career with a Bronko Tape sequel.
“See It Twice” hops over a synth-driven boom bap beat Pig Pen cooked up talking about the rap game making him fatter than he’s ever been whereas “Gitchya Money” produced by Big Tone continues from there with a funky 2 & a half minute ode to making bread. “Riverwalk” embraces a smoother yet spacier vibe instrumentally talking about chillin’ close to the river staying fresh while “Debt Free” asks the world if anyone has the luxury of having no debts to pay off.
Huey 11 appears on “Champaign Knights” taking a more seductive approach from the subject matter to the Simple Cuts beat just before “Once in a Blue” featuring Kool Keith hits midway point admitting to smoking weed occasionally. “Live My Life” featuring eLZhi & Mikri Maus acknowledges those envious of the trio’s lifestyles while “Matter of Respect” featuring Jon Connor feels like the Michigan version of former NWA World Tag Team Champions, 2-time IWGPタッグチャンピオン, inaugural 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champions, WWE Hall of Famers & former 18-time WWE tag team champions The Dudley Boyz.
“The Town” begins off the 4th quarter of The Bronko Tape 2 combining kicks, snares & vibraphone taking through the Motor City where nothing’s unheard of while “Burying You” shows off Peace of Mind’s ear for sampling talking about a someone smacking up a hoe at 4 in the morning after learning she was fucking someone else until she slits his throat in self-defense. “Pašteta” featuring Noti Limun once again takes a few moments to show more love towards Valid’s Balkan heritage while “Passing Down” advises against being like him losing the ones you love the most.
Valid takes it back to what made The Bronko Tape such an exciting listen coming up almost 3 years ago in preparation for his upcoming European tour set to kick off at the end of the month making further comparisons to to Bronko Lubich who competed in the Billy Corgan owned National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the Hart family-owned Stampede Wrestling, the WWE Hall of Famers Von Erich family-owned WCCW, the Crockett family-owned JCP & WWE Hall of Famer Verne Gagne-owned AWA from the early 50s to the early 70s considering their Serbian background & building their reputation behind the scenes.
Score: 8/10
